The last preparations of the New Zealand Accordion Championships are being completed and I look forward to another weekend of flat out musical activity. I look forward to giving you a report next week!

Wayne Knights

Emails to the Editor

AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL ACCORDION CHAMPIONSHIPS AND FESTIVAL

Contributed by Tania Lukic, President of the Australian Accordion Teachers Association

On the weekend of May 23rd to 25th, the 4th Annual Australian International Accordion Championships and Festival was held in Burwood, Sydney. Competitors came from Australia, New Zealand and China, with further Festival performances by the Australian Accordion Concert Ensemble (Sydney, Australia), Barry "Baz" Cooper (Melbourne, Australia), Maurice Jones (New Zealand), and Ivan Hudec and Katarina Grenova (Slovakia, see separate news item). The Australian International Piano Accordion Championship had seven competitors, all of whom presented two 20 minute own choice programmes.

Enjoying the entertainment at the Sunday dinner

The weekend ended with a Sunday night dinner, most appropriately at an Italian restaurant, with lots of accordion and guitar music, and dancing enjoyed by everyone. The winners of the International classes were presented with their trophies.

Australian International Open Piano Accordion Championship

FESTIVAL "BALTICA - HARMONIKA '97"

Contributed by Tatiana Lanchtchikova

The 4th International Festival "Baltica - Harmonika '97" was held in St. Petersburg, Russia, from the 26th of April to the 3rd of May. More than 100 participants and guests from Russia, Latvia, Belorus, Sweden, Norway and Spain played their own choice program in 6 various solo and ensemble categories.

Among the guests of the Festival were accordionists Daniel Rodriges Meirino (Spain) and Andresa Grete (Norway), who played at the festival evening concert.

Sergei Naiko, laureate of International Accordion competitions, honoured artist of Russia, and teacher at Krasnoyarsk Institute of Arts, performed two solo concerts which included Spanish music by Granados, Rodriges, Albenis, and De Falia.

Eduard Banko and Alexandr Matveev, (both students of Professor Oleg Sharov), played music by Repnikov, Shostakovich, Zubitski and others.

The final concert was given by laureates of the Festival: Anna Voznouk, Artur Kurbanov, Sergei Khachatrjan, Alexandr Satenko, Andrei Galunov, Accordion duo from Cheljabinsk (Victor and Larisa Gerasimov), Far East Bayan Trio (Sophia Drel, Konstantin Esipov and Sergei Strelnikov).

FLOREN TO CONDUCT "WORLD'S LARGEST POLKA BAND"

Contributed by Faithe Deffner, President of the American Accordionists' Association

The Welk Group has announced that accordionist Myron Floren will perform at the Welk Resort Center in Branson, Missouri from May 30th to June 2nd. Here, at the home of "Champagne Music," made famous by the four-decade-long-running Lawrence Welk TV Show, Myron will conduct the "World's Largest Polka Band" comprised of accordionists from everywhere who are making their way to Branson for this big squeeze play. The "Guinness Book of Records" has been called in to authenticate this record-breaking event.

BRAZILIAN ACCORDIONIST TAKES CENTRE STAGE

Contributed by Lionel Reekie

The Latin American stage show sensation "OBA OBA" concluded its run this week at the Sky Theatre, in the Casino complex in Auckland, New Zealand. In addition to the spectacular singing and dancing, audiences were impressed with the talents of star accordionist, "Sehenia". Not only was the accordion an integral part of the band, Sehenia took centre stage at numerous times during the show with solo virtuoso performances.

Sky City is one of Auckland's premiere entertainment venues, with New Zealand's largest Casino, a Hotel, 4 bars, 4 restaurants, Theatre, shops and the recently completed "Sky Tower", the worlds 6th tallest building and highest tower in the southern hemisphere.

UMKC ACCORDION ENSEMBLE EUROPEAN CONCERT DATES CONFIRMED

Contributed by Joan-Cochran Sommers

The UMKC Accordion Ensemble has just confirmed their European Concert Tour dates. The ensemble comprises of 13 accordionists and percussionist, and is directed by Joan-Cochran Sommers. The group has been formed specifically for the tour, which will begin in Salzburg on the 18th of June and conclude on the 29th of June in Munich. They will also perform concerts in Vienna, Bratislava and Prague.

The ensemble's programme is varied, from well known classics like Prelude and Fugue in G Major (Bach) through to novelties such as Ragtime Dance (Joplin), Syncopated Clock (Anderson). They will also perform an original accordion composition, Solina, composed by one of America's finest accordion entertainers, Jeff Lisenby.

A free "Bon Voyage" concert will be held at 7.30pm on Friday, 13th of June at the UMKC Center for Performing Arts, Kansas City. Up until their departure, the ensemble will be kept busy, giving a concert and then combining with Myron Floren on the 14th of June who will not only be playing, but conducting a large choir accompanied by the UMKC orchestra. For information on tour concerts, see Future Events

CHILDREN'S ACCORDION CONCERT IN "THE 21st CENTURY" HOTEL - CHINA

Contributed by Wu Shou Zhi, President of the Chinese Accordion Society

On the 19th of May at 9.00 am., more than 300 pupils, who study in "Hapingchun" Primary School of Beijing, held an accordion concert at "Century Theatre" in the 21st Century Hotel in Beijing city.

These students are the accordion students of Mr. Sun Renpu, an accordion teacher of Xianghe Children's Family in Beijing. The concert was held to celebrate Hong Kong's reverting back to China in July.

An audience of about 1,800 watched the concert, including music teachers of schools, accordion students and their parents. Beijing TV Station broadcast the concert live.

The young accordionists performed solos, duets, trios, and 230 students played in an accordion group, performing: "Chinese Young Pioneers' Song" and the "National Anthem".

FINNISH ACCORDIONIST MIKA VÄYRYNEN - DOCTOR OF MUSIC

Contributed by Dr Herbert Scheibenreif

29 year old Mika Väyrynen has finished his doctoral studies at the Sibelius-Academy, Helsinki, Finland, becoming the 18th Doctor of Music in the Academy's 100 year history. He will be promoted to Doctor of Music on the 31st of May in the 100th year celebrations. Honorary doctors include such names as Vladimir Ashkenazy and Marie-ClaireAlain.

Studies included three parts: artistic part, written thesis and philosophical studies. The subject of the thesis was: Technical principles of Accordion playing. Body relaxation, body and arm posture during playing, different button-keyboard systems, fingering techniques and principles of the control of the bellows were covered. Mika Väyrynen presented his thesis and artistic work on 22nd of April. The event took about 2 1/2 hours.

Mika Väyrynen has won many international competitions, including the 1989 Coupe Mondiale in Luzem, Switzerland, is a member of the CIA Music Committee and has been in the jury of the Coupe Mondiale. He has performed in numerous countries throughout the world, has released 4 recordings and is preparing two new CD's due for release in 1997 and 1998. Since 1985, he has been an artist with Finland's national broadcasting company and has presented many master classes. He was a Professor of Accordion playing at "Kärtner Landeskonservatorium", Austria, from 1994 to 1996.

BROADWAY SHOW VICTOR VICTORIA FEATURES ACCORDION MUSIC

Contributed by Faithe Deffner, President of the American Accordionists' Association

Composer-accordionist Guy Kluscevsek has been booked for a weekend stint at the Victor Victoria show on Broadway while regular accordionist Charlie Giordano takes time off from the hectic show schedule to visit his fiancee's family in the Appalachians where wedding plans are in the making. Giordano will be away again in August when the wedding bells are scheduled to ring.

Accordionists are jockeying for position to cover the ensuing openings: who will play at Giordano's wedding and who will fill in at the Victor Victoria shows?

ACCORDIONISTS DAVID AND LIONEL MUALUS - FRANCE

Contributed by Claude Cavagnolo of Europe Musique Instruments

David and Lionel Mualus have both played the accordion most of their lives. "Without ruining deep accordion roots, we wish to turn away from the usual way of accordion playing," explains Lionel. "We play all kinds of music, from classical jazz to the French variety". They have won the Accordion Club de France competition six times and are laureates abroad. Their second CD "Kaleidoscope" is a perfect reflection of their new musical direction. There are twelve new tracks which have never been recorded on the accordion, including two of their own compositions.

The arrival of the new CD was accompanied by the concert "Kaleidoscope" in the Domain du Marand of Saint-Amand-Talend, on Saturday 10th of May. On this occasion, they were joined by the contrabassist Stephane Coutaud and Philippe Merien on percussion, where they played a variety of folklore, musette, jazz, classical, movie themes and traditional French songs. On the 7th of June, they will perform on Michel Pruvot's TV program on "France 3". For further information see Future Events

THE ACCO LAND ENSEMBLE PRESENTS NEW WORKS

Contributed by Claudio Jaccomuzzi

The accordion duo Acco Land, lead by Claudio Jacomucci and Anne Landa will present new accordion music during the next few months :

31st May, in Rome (Istituto Europeo di Design) : Anne Landa, "Pasacalles" for two accordions.

29th June, in Lugano (Ceresio Estate '97), they will premiere "Apparizione di Franz Schubert fra le onde" for 2 accordions, shells and tape by the Swiss composer Mario Pagliarani.

18th July, in San Sebastián, Spain (IV Seminario de Acordeón), "La huella" for 2 accordions and voice by the Italian composer Fernando Mencherini who died just few weeks ago.

6th August, in Pesaro, old german silent cinema with new music written by Italian composers Fabrizio De Rossi Re, Fausto Romitelli, Gabriele Manca, Michele Dall'Ongaro, Paolo Pachini (Works for accordion, flute, guitar, piano).

17th August, in Locarno - Switzerland (Video Festival)- old german silent cinema with new music written by the Italian composers Fabrizio De Rossi Re, Fausto Romitelli, Gabriele Manca, Michele Dall'Ongaro, Paolo Pachini (Works for accordion, flute, guitar, piano).

26th September, in Prato, Italy (Museo di Prato) - World premiere of Feria IV for accordion solo by the well known Italian composer Franco Donatoni.

12th October, in Rome (Festival di Nuova Consonanza) - world premiere of a work for two accordion by the Spanish well known composer Luis De Pablo.

For further information email: accoland@tin.it

MUSICIANS FROM FRENCH THEPAZ INSTITUTE AT AAA FESTIVAL

Contributed by Faithe Deffner, President of the American Accordionists' Association

Institute Andre Thepaz, a school of advanced accordion studies, directed by the well known accordion artist and educator, Andre Thepaz, is sending eight students to perform at the festival sponsored by the American Accordionists' Association from July 9th through to the 13th at the Sheraton City Centre Hotel (New Hampshire Ave., NW) in Washington, DC. Teachers Andre Thepaz and Renee Giacomoni will accompany the students who are scheduled to perform at the AAA function. They will play popular and musette works in addition to some classics. Lydie Brondex, Lucie Muraz, Regis Picard, Benoit Rey, Pier-Yves Tetu, Jeremy Vannereau, Laurie Vannereau and Damien Vendramini are the young accordionists who will perform for eager American accordion aficionados.

SLOVAKIAN ACCORDIONISTS TOUR AUSTRALIA

Contributed by Tatiana Lanchtchikova

Accordionists from Slovakia - Ivan Hudec and Katarina Grenova and their teacher Professor Kosnar Miroslav - came to Australia for concerts. They were invited by the Slovakian People Association to play several concerts for Slovakian migrants, who are now living in Australia. They also gave two concerts at the Australian International Accordion Championships last weekend.

Ivan and Katarina are students of the Conservatory of Professor Kosnar, in Zilina, Slovakia. They both have participated in many International Accordion competitions. Ivan Hudec gained 1st place in Castelfidardo, Italy, 1992; 2nd place in Toronto, Canada, 1994; and participated in the CMA competition, Setubal, Portugal. He likes to play various styles of music and included in his program works by Scarlatti, Derbenko, Semionov, Zubitski.

Katarina Grenova gained 3rd place at the International Accordion Competitions in Airolo, Switzerland, 1996 and in Roveredo, Switzerland 1995. Also, she has won the Slovakian National Accordion Competition many times. She prefers to play original music for bayan: works by Semionov and Chaikin.

NEW ACCORDION ASSOCIATION IN SPAIN

Contributed by Claude Cavagnolo of Europe Musique Instruments

Another association for the promotion of the accordion has been founded in San Sebastian, Spain. This association dedicated to the accordion is called ACCO LAND, Area para la difusión del acordeón. Acco Land a.d.a., wants to become a meeting and discussion centre, and a working group supporting the culture of the accordion.

Studies, research, exchange, development without boundaries: From contemporary music to jazz, from ethnic music to musical theatre, from the research of new methodologies to making contact with extra-musical atriums. It will organise seminars, meetings, conferences, debates, concerts. Members will have access, through the database, to the library, records with music scores, books, records, LP's, CD's, videotapes etc... Members will receive a periodical newsletter.

For further information, email: Accoland@tin.it

CHINESE ACCORDIONIST TO STUDY IN RUSSIA

Contributed by Wu Shou Zhi, President of the Chinese Accordion Society

Ms Li Qingyao, an accordion teacher in Nanchang city, (Jiangzi province), had formally applied for admission into an Art College in Russia to study the accordion. She was delighted to receive an admission notice from Russia on the 24th of May.

Studying the accordion in Russia, especially bayan, is becoming more popular in China. Up until now, more than 10 Chinese accordionists have studied accordion in art colleges or conservatories of Russia, and it is estimated that there will be more students wishing to study in Russia in the future.

Ms Li Qingyao said "I am eager to study in Russia, and I will work hard there. Then, I am going to come back to my hometown in order to teach my students playing accordion much better."

JOHN JESKI RECORDS "MR. POLKA ACCORDION"

Contributed by Faithe Deffner, President of the American Accordionists' Association

Billed as "19 Incredible Polka Hits," the newest recording issued by accordionist John Jeski is called "Mr. Polka Accordion" and may be purchased as either a CD (US $13) or a cassette (US $8 -- either plus $2 S/H) from the Jolo Co., P.O.Box 380193, East Hartford, Connecticut 06138 USA. The recording includes Jolly Caballero, Polka Ranchero, Sailing Accordion, Around the World, Lady of Spain (as a polka) and many more. Judging from Jeski's previous successes, here is another hit!

ACCORDION ON TV - ITALY

Contributed by Holda Paoletti-Kampl

During the last three months the accordion played by the musician Tiziano d'Angelo in the group "Sempre in Piazza" has been part of the TV program "I Fatti Vostri", which is broadcast by Rai Due, also via cable, and which deals with everyday themes and of general interest both in a serious and a lighthearted manner together with a quiz game. The show is divided into parts by musical breaks of different genres that bring all the harmony and skill of the accordion into the households of millions of listeners, every weekday at lunch time for a whole hour and a half.

ROSKILL MASONIC VILLAGE PERFORMANCE, AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND

Contributed by Dallas Macris

On Sunday the 25th of May, residents of the Roskill Masonic Village were treated to an afternoon of accordion entertainment by the West Auckland Senior Orchestra, Music Makers orchestra and a number of solos and duets.

The afternoon was good preparation for all the players who will be competing in the New Zealand Accordion Championships on the 31st of May and 1st of June and finished with a well deserved afternoon tea.

16 YEAR OLD ACCORDIONIST PERFORMING IN FRANCE

Contributed by Claude Cavagnolo of Europe Musique Instruments

A student of Madame Courtot-Tenous from Belfort is 16 year old Valerio Tissier. She has created "Duo de Charme" with Emmanuelle Courtot-Renoux. Despite her age, she has already participated in various television programs such as Pascal Sevran's "La Chance aux chansons", Michel Privot's "Sur un air d'accordeon", Roland Zaninetti "Soufflets, c'est jouer".

Valerio has also appeared on the big Paris stages including the Palace of Congress and Zenith and will be participating in the European Meetings at Chartres on the 5th and 6th of June. As a new arrival in the Imagine Orchestra, she accompanies a lot of balls, including an upcoming Grand Ball on the 13th of July at Belfort, France.

EMAILS (ACCORDION TO THE EDITOR)

Subject: Looking for music

Hi,

I'm a 18 year old boy from Denmark who is in need of music composed by the great composer Pietro Frosini. I'm a great fan of his music and do play a lot of it too myself. So if any of you out there in the world would like to help a needing Dane. Please write back.

yours truly

Kristian H. Rusbjerg

Hi!

Great to hear from you. I agree, that Pietro Frosini was a great composer! The largest catalogue of music composed by him is available from Ernest Deffner Publications, P.O.Box 608, Mineola, NY, USA. Email address is: FDeffner@aol.com

By the way, I am half Danish (my mother is from Odense) so of course I am more than happy to help you out!

Mange tuk!

Wayne Knights
Accordions Worldwide

Subject: Italo American accordion

Dear Sir ; I am in search for an "Italo-American" Polka King Accordion with 5 Treble selectors. 4/5 reed. Used but in good condition

(Writer unknown)

Thanks for your email! I suggest that you contact Tom Collins, who I know has one of these accordions. I'm not so sure, however that he is willing to sell it, although he might know of someone else who has one.

You may also like to have a free listing in the buy/sell section of Accordions Worldwide. You can fill out the buy/sell submit at:

http://www.accordions.com/misc/form_b_s.htm

Best regards,

Wayne Knights
Accordions Worldwide

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